Puranas are always held in high esteem among Hindus and considered reservoir of knowledge. They declare that whatever good or bad deeds are done by us on this earth definitely bear fruit and we have to visit upon the consequences of our good or bad karmas even after our death. Likewise, they also suggest how we should lead our life on this earth so that we could attain salvation. Puranas are the backbone of the Hindu philosophy which contains essence of Hindu religion, civilization and culture. Garuda Purana is one of the Vishnu Puranas and is in the form of conversation between Lord Vishnu and his vehicle Garuda on a slew of topics including:
- About death
- Afterlife
- Sins
- Life in hell
- Location of hell
- Yama, the Lord of the Underworld, his assistant Chitragupta
- What types of funeral rites should be performed for the departed ?
- What happens when funeral rites are not performed etc.?
- Description of the City of Yama
- The various kinds of punishments meted out to the sinners?
- How to avoid committing sins on earth and expiation of sin
The concept of Heaven and Hell described in the Garuda Purana has striking similarities with the descriptions of Heaven and Hell in other religions such as Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. However, according to Garud Purana, souls who go to these worlds after visiting upon the punishment for their bad karmas return to earth and take birth again while as per the believes of other religions they stay there forever.Garuda Purana also describes how salvation can be attained through the practice of Yoga and devotion.
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